Combined digital scorekeeper and vibration dampener

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a combined digital scorekeeper and vibration dampener device. The device is encased in a housing fabricated from a vibration dampening and/or shock absorption material. The device includes a plurality of string channels for attaching directly to the strings of a racket, and provides a miniature scoreboard that is operated by a simple mechanical or touch button system, so as not to distract the player&#39;s from the game. In an embodiment, the device is includes wireless technology to exchange scores and other data with other digital scorekeeper devices used by other players during a game, or via a network to a remote device to document the statistics from the match or provide data for other applications or sharing with others. In an embodiment, the digital scorekeeper includes one or more inertial sensors configured to detect and/or measure various data associated with the player&#39;s performance, which can be synced to video and used with training applications.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to electronic scorekeeping for sporting events, such as tennis.

BACKGROUND

Scorekeeping for certain sports can be challenging, particularly if the players are required to keep score. For example, in tennis each match is made up of two to three sets. To win a set, a player must win at least six games. The games are scored starting at “love” (or zero) and go up to 40. From love, the first point is 15, then 30, then 40, then game point, which wins the game. Before serving, the player typically announces the score, with her score first, then her opponent's score. For example, if the player has zero and her opponent has 30, she would say “love-30” before serving. The player continues serving until the score reaches 40, calling out the score before every serve. If the score is tied at 40 (“40-all”), that is called “deuce,” which means a tie. To break the tie, one of the players must win two points in a row. If a player is serving at deuce and she wins the next point, she says “my ad,” which means “my advantage.” If, however, her opponent wins, the score goes back to deuce, and the game continues until a player wins two points in a row. After the game is over, the other player serves. After an odd-number of games (e.g., game one, game three, game five) the players switch sides on the court.

Before the first serve in each new game, the player serving announces the score in sets, saying her score first and then her opponent's score. For example, if she won the first set, she would say “1-0.” To complete a set, a player must win six games, and the first person to win six games wins the set. However, a player must win a set by at least two games. If the score is 6-5, the person with 5 must win by two games. If the score ties at 6-6, a tiebreaker game is played.

As one can see from the above description, scorekeeping in tennis is challenging, and could benefit from a device that can help the players remember the current score.

SUMMARY

Disclosed is a combined digital scorekeeper and vibration dampener device. The device is encased in a housing fabricated from a vibration dampening and/or shock absorption material. The device includes a plurality of string channels for attaching directly to the strings of a racket, and provides a miniature scoreboard that is operated by a simple mechanical or touch button system, so as not to distract the player's from the game. In an embodiment, the device is includes wireless technology to exchange scores and other data with other digital scorekeeper devices used by other players during a game, or via a network to a remote device to document the statistics from the match or provide data for other applications or sharing with others. In an embodiment, the digital scorekeeper includes one or more inertial sensors configured to detect and/or measure various data associated with the player's performance, which can be synced to video and used with training applications.

In an embodiment, an apparatus comprises: a housing including a top surface, bottom surface, frontside surface, backside surface, and two end surfaces, the housing made at least partially of vibration dampening material; an electronic scoreboard embedded in or attached to the top surface; a plurality of adjacent, spaced-apart parallel string channels in the bottom surface and extending from the frontside surface to the backside surface, the string channels configured to attach the apparatus to strings of a racquet; an input interface embedded in or attached to at least one of the top surface, frontside or backside surface; a processor; memory storing instructions that when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising: receiving user input through the score input interface; responsive to the using input, updating a score stored in the memory; and outputting the score on the electronic scoreboard.

Particular embodiments disclosed herein provide one or more of the following advantages. A combined digital scorekeeper and vibration dampener device is configured to attach to the strings of a racquet or paddle and provide vibration dampening and a miniature digital scoreboard that is operated by a simple input button system so as not to distract the player's from the game. The device serves as a reminder and keeper of the score after each point, and thus provides a simple and elegant solution to the problem of players forgetting the score of the game and match which is a common problem, as well as provide the ability to track game and match statistics for an individual or a group.

An advantage over existing mechanical scorekeeping devices is that the score and other data (e.g., sensor data) can be transferred over a wireless communication link to scorekeeping devices of other players, and/or to other devices for use with other applications, such as fitness or training applications. Additionally, a single device provides scorekeeping, vibration dampening, player performance sensing and wireless connectivity to a wireless ad hoc network (e.g., a Bluetooth piconet), local area network (e.g., WiFi), or wide area network (e.g., the Internet).

The details of the disclosed embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects and advantages are apparent from the description, drawings and claims.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is an isometric view of a digital scorekeeper device, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 1B is a top view of the digital scorekeeper device of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 1C is a backside view of the digital scorekeeper device of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 shows the digital scorekeeper device of FIG. 1 attached to the strings of a tennis racquet, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 illustrates the wireless capabilities of the digital scorekeeper device, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 4 shows a hardware architecture of the digital scorekeeper device, according to an embodiment.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are a flow diagram of a process for using the digital scorekeeper device to keep score, according to an embodiment.

The same reference symbol used in various drawings indicates like elements.

INTERPRETATION OF TERMS/FIGURES

In the following detailed description, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed embodiments. It will be apparent, however, that the disclosed embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present invention.

In the drawings, specific arrangements or orderings of schematic elements, such as those representing devices, modules, instruction blocks and data elements, are shown for ease of description. However, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the specific ordering or arrangement of the schematic elements in the drawings is not meant to imply that a particular order or sequence of processing, or separation of processes, is required. Further, the inclusion of a schematic element in a drawing is not meant to imply that such element is required in all embodiments or that the features represented by such element may not be included in or combined with other elements in some embodiments.

Further, in the drawings, where connecting elements, such as solid or dashed lines or arrows, are used to illustrate a connection, relationship, or association between or among two or more other schematic elements, the absence of any such connecting elements is not meant to imply that no connection, relationship, or association can exist. In other words, some connections, relationships, or associations between elements are not shown in the drawings so as not to obscure the disclosure. In addition, for ease of illustration, a single connecting element is used to represent multiple connections, relationships or associations between elements. For example, where a connecting element represents a communication of signals, data, or instructions, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that such element represents one or multiple signal paths (e.g., a bus), as may be needed, to affect the communication.

Several features are described hereafter that can each be used independently of one another or with any combination of other features. However, any individual feature may not address any of the problems discussed above or might only address one of the problems discussed above. Some of the problems discussed above might not be fully addressed by any of the features described herein. Although headings are provided, information related to a particular heading, but not found in the section having that heading, may also be found elsewhere in this description.

As used herein the term “one or more” includes a function being performed by one element, a function being performed by more than one element, e.g., in a distributed fashion, several functions being performed by one element, several functions being performed by several elements, or any combination of the above. It will also be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. are, in some instances, used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first contact could be termed a second contact, and, similarly, a second contact could be termed a first contact, without departing from the scope of the various described embodiments. The first contact and the second contact are both contacts, but they are not the same contact. The terminology used in the description of the various described embodiments herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting.

As used in the description of the various disclosed embodiments and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will also be understood that the term “and/or” as used herein refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It will be further understood that the terms “includes,” “including,” “includes,” and/or “including,” when used in this description, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

As used herein, the term “if” is, optionally, construed to mean “when” or “upon” or “in response to determining” or “in response to detecting,” depending on the context. Similarly, the phrase “if it is determined” or “if [a stated condition or event] is detected” is, optionally, construed to mean “upon determining” or “in response to determining” or “upon detecting [the stated condition or event]” or “in response to detecting [the stated condition or event],” depending on the context.

Reference will now be made in detail to the disclosed embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the various described embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the various disclosed embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, circuits, and networks have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the disclosed embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In an embodiment, a combined digital scorekeeper and vibration dampener device is encased in a housing fabricated from a vibration dampening material (e.g., rubber, polyurethane, foam). The device includes a plurality of string channels for attaching directly to the strings of a racket (e.g., a tennis racquet), and provides a miniature scoreboard (e.g., LED or LCD display) that is operated by a simple mechanical button system (e.g., a two button system), so as not to distract the player's from the game. The device provides vibration dampening to reduce the amount of vibration that a player feels when a ball impacts the strings of the racquet. The vibration dampening also reduces or eliminates the ping sound made when the ball and racquet make contact.

In addition to vibration dampening, the device also serves as a reminder and keeper of the score after each point, and thus provides a simple and elegant solution to the problem of players forgetting the score of the game and match. The device also tracks game and match statistics for an individual player or a group of players. In an embodiment, the device is configured to attach to other types of racquets or paddles (e.g., pickleball paddle, racquetball racket) using, for example, adhesive backing, Velcro®, suction cups, straps or any other suitable attachment material or attachment mechanism.

In an embodiment, the device is enabled with wireless technology (e.g., Bluetooth, WiFi) to enable the device to exchange scores with other digital scorekeeper devices used by other players during a game, or to another device (e.g., a player's smartphone, smartwatch or computer) to document the statistics from the match or provide data for other applications (e.g., fitness or training applications).

In an embodiment, the digital scorekeeper includes one or more inertial sensors (e.g., accelerometers, gyros, vibration sensor) configured to detect and/or measure various data associated with the player's performance including but not limited to: the number of shots taken, ball impact location and angle, swing type, swing speed, ball spin, power and service time. Such data can be used or synced together with other data (e.g., pedometer data and heartrate from a smartwatch) by a fitness application to determine data (e.g., calories burned) by the player and other players in a singles or double match, or synced to video for using training applications.

The foregoing and other features will now be described in further detail with respect to the figures.

Device Overview

FIG. 1A is an isometric view of a combined digital scorekeeper and vibration dampener device 100, according to an embodiment. Device 100 includes a housing having top surface 101, bottom surface 102, frontside surface 103, backside surface 104, and ends 105 and 106. Embedded in top surface 101 is digital scoreboard 107. Mechanical pushbuttons 108 a, 108 b are shown located on opposite sides of digital scoreboard 107, but can be located anywhere on top surface 101 or on frontside or backside surfaces 103, 104. Bottom surface 102 includes a plurality of bottom string channels 109 for receiving a plurality of strings of a racquet (e.g., a tennis racquet). Additionally, ends 105, 106 each include a side string channel that is perpendicular to bottom string channels 109 for receiving a string of the racquet. In an embodiment, the housing is fabricated from a vibration dampening and/or shock absorption material (e.g., rubber, polyurethane, foam), allowing device 100 to operate as a vibration dampener.

FIG. 1B is a top view of the digital scorekeeper device 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment. Top surface 101 includes digital scoreboard 107 and mechanical pushbuttons 108 a, 108 b. In an embodiment, digital scoreboard 107 is touch sensitive and can receive touch input, such as taps or gestures. Mechanical pushbuttons 108 a, 108 b allow the user to enter or update the score which is stored in memory of device 100. In the example shown, digital scoreboard 107 includes a digital clock in the upper left corner and the final scores for each set of a tennis match in the upper right corner. At the bottom left and right corners are the current scores for player 1 (P1) and player 2 (P2), respectively. In the example shown, player P1 has 40 and player P2 has 15. In an embodiment, digital scoreboard 107 is automatically activated based on output of an ambient light or a motion sensor (e.g., accelerometer, gyro, magnetometer) of device 100. In another embodiment, device 100 is activated by pressing either or both mechanical pushbuttons 108 a, 108 b.

In an embodiment, pushbutton 108 a can be pressed once to add a point to the score of player P1 and pressed twice to remove a point from the score of player P1. If pushbutton 108 a is held in a depressed position (long press) for N seconds, (e.g., N=3), device 100 will turn off (if already on) or turn on (if already turned off). Likewise. pushbutton 108 b is pressed once to add a point to the score of player P2 and pressed twice to remove a point from player P2. Holding pushbutton 108 b for N seconds (e.g., N=3) causes the scores for both player P1 and player P2 to be cleared and reset to zero. In an embodiment, the game score and set score is calculated automatically at the end of each game and stored in memory (e.g., flash memory) of device 100. In an embodiment, holding both pushbuttons 108 a, 108 b at the same time invokes tie-break scoring.

FIG. 1C is a view of backside surface 104 of digital scorekeeper device 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment. Backside surface 104 includes port 109, which in this example embodiment is a micro USB port for charging and exchanging data with another device. Other embodiments include two or more ports 109. Also, shown are bottom string channels 109. Each string channel 109 has a rounded first portion for holding the string and an elongated second portion for guiding the string into the rounded first portion. Thus, the profile of string channel 109 resembles a “pushpin.”

FIG. 2 shows the digital scorekeeper device 100 of FIG. 1 attached to the strings of tennis racquet 200, according to an embodiment. Device 100 attaches to the bottom strings at bottom portion of the racquet play surface so as not to interfere with the ball. Device attaches to the strings using bottom string channels 109 and side string channels xxx, xxx of ends 105 and 106, respectively. For racquets without strings (e.g., paddle ball racquet), device 100 can be fixed to the handle of racquet 200 with adhesive, a strap, Velcro® or any other suitable attachment mechanism or material.

FIG. 3 illustrates the wireless capabilities of the digital scorekeeper device 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment. In an embodiment, player 301, 302 on tennis court 300 have racquets 303, 304, respectively with device 100 installed on the strings as shown in FIG. 2. Each device 100 keeps track of the current score and the scores on the two devices 100 are synchronized using wireless transceivers on the devices. In an embodiment, data (e.g., scores, player performance data) captured and stored in memory on the devices are transmitted via a wireless access point 305 (e.g., a WiFi router) to a wide area network (e.g., the Internet). This allows the data to be used by multiple users on different devices for a variety of applications, and for computing statistics, leaderboards, etc. This example can be extended to four players in a doubles game where each player has a device 100 attached to their racquet.

FIG. 4 shows an architecture 400 of the digital scorekeeper device 100, according to an embodiment. Architecture 400 includes processor 401, memory 402, charging/data interface 403, wireless transceiver 404, input interface 405, sensor interfaces 407 and digital scoreboard 406 (e.g., an LED display). Each of these components are coupled to and communicate over one or more buses 410. Processor 402 can be any suitable processor and memory 402 can be any suitable memory, such as flash memory, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), etc. Charging interface 403 includes circuitry for charging device 100, such as a micro USB port. In an embodiment, charging interface 403 includes circuitry for charging using a charge matt, such as circuitry for electromagnetic inductive or radiative electromagnetic resonant charging. Sensor interfaces 407 include circuitry for communicating and in for some sensors providing power, such as a motion sensor 408 and vibration sensor 409. Sensors 408, 409 are used to capture player performance data. Wireless transceiver 404 can implement any suitable communications technology and protocol, such as Bluetooth, WiFi, Near Field, etc. Input interface 405 provide circuits for detecting when mechanical pushbuttons 108 a, 108 b have been pressed (e.g., electrical contacts, timers), long presses, etc. Digital scoreboard 406 can be an LED display or LCD display or use any other suitable display technology. In an embodiment, digital scoreboard 406 is touch sensitive and capable of detecting touch inputs, such as taps and gestures, which can be used to update scores or perform other tasks.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are a flow diagram of process 500 for using the digital scorekeeper device to keep score during a sporting event, according to an embodiment. Process 500 can be implemented using architecture 400 of FIG. 4.

Process 500 begins by determining whether the player P1 pushbutton or the player P2 pushbutton or both pushbuttons are pressed (501). If the player P1 pushbutton was long pressed for N seconds (502) and the device is currently on (503), process 500 turns the device off (504). If the player P1 pushbutton was long pressed for N seconds (502) and the device is currently off (503), process 500 turns the device on (505). If both the player P1 and player P2 pushbuttons are pressed at the same time (501), process 500 invokes tie-break scoring (507).

If only the P1 pushbutton was pressed but not long pressed, process 500 continues by determining if the player P1 pushbutton was pressed once (508), and if so, adding a point to the score of player P1 (509). If only the P1 button was pressed but not long pressed or pressed once, process 500 continues by determining if the player P1 pushbutton was pressed twice (510), and if so, decrementing a point to the score of player P1 (511).

If only the P2 button was pressed, process 500 determines if the player P2 button was long pressed for N seconds (512), and if so clears and resets the player 1 P1 and player P2 scores (513). If only the P2 button was pressed but not long pressed, process 500 continues by determining if the player P2 pushbutton was pressed once (514), and if so, adding a point to the score of player P2 (515). If only the P2 button was pressed but not long pressed or pressed once, process 500 continues by determining if the player P2 pushbutton was pressed twice (516), and if so, decrementing a point to the score of player P2 (517).

In the foregoing description, embodiments of the invention have been described with reference to numerous specific details that may vary from implementation to implementation. The description and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. The sole and exclusive indicator of the scope of the invention, and what is intended by the applicants to be the scope of the invention, is the literal and equivalent scope of the set of claims that issue from this application, in the specific form in which such claims issue, including any subsequent correction. Any definitions expressly set forth herein for terms contained in such claims shall govern the meaning of such terms as used in the claims. In addition, when we use the term “further including,” in the foregoing description or following claims, what follows this phrase can be an additional step or entity, or a sub-step/sub-entity of a previously-recited step or entity. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus comprising: a housing including a top surface, bottom surface, frontside surface, backside surface, and two end surfaces, the housing made at least partially of vibration dampening material; an electronic scoreboard embedded in or attached to the top surface; a plurality of adjacent, spaced-apart parallel string channels in the bottom surface and extending from the frontside surface to the backside surface, the string channels configured to attach the apparatus to strings of a racquet; an input interface embedded in or attached to at least one of the top surface, frontside or backside surface; a processor; memory storing instructions that when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising: receiving user input through the score input interface; responsive to the using input, updating a score stored in the memory; and outputting the score on the electronic scoreboard.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the input interface includes a microphone, and the operations executed by the processor further include: receiving, by the microphone, speech commands; responsive to the speech commands, updating a score stored in memory; and outputting the score on the electronic scoreboard.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the input interface includes a plurality of mechanical pushbuttons on the top surface that, when pressed by a user, updates the score stored in the memory.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the mechanical pushbuttons are disposed on opposite sides of the electronic scoreboard.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electronic scoreboard is touch sensitive and configured to receive taps or gestures by a user to update the score stored in the memory.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each string channel includes a partially cylindrical portion for holding a string in place and an elongated guide portion for guiding the string into the cylindrical portion.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the vibration dampening or absorbing material is rubber.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the ends each include a string channel extending from the backside to the frontside for receiving strings of the racquet.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a rechargeable battery; and one or more ports on the backside or frontside surface for at least one of charging the battery or for transferring or receiving data from another device.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the one or more ports is micro universal serial bus (USB) port.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a wireless transceiver coupled to the processor, and the operations further comprising: establishing, using the wireless transceiver, wireless communications with a remote device over a network; and transferring, using the network, score data stored in memory to the remote device.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a wireless transceiver coupled to the processor, and the operations further comprising: establishing, using the wireless transceiver, wireless communications with a remote device over a network; receiving, using the network, score data from the remote device; and replacing or updating the score in the memory with the score data.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the network is a wireless ad hoc Bluetooth piconet.
 14. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: one or more inertial sensors configured to capture performance data of a player using the racquet in a sporting event, the operations further comprising storing the performance data in the memory.
 15. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising: a wireless transceiver coupled to the processor, and wherein the operations further comprise: establishing, using the wireless transceiver, wireless communications with a remote device over a network; and transferring, using the network, the performance data stored in the memory to the remote device.
 16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the racquet is a tennis racquet. 